Yes, it is very possible that Jon Gruden kept up to date with NFL schemes and personnel during his years as a broadcaster leading up to his expected return to the sidelines as the Raiders coach, or at least that's what John Lynch told me.

Lynch, of course, just completed his first season as the 49ers general manager after he left the TV booth to take this job last winter.

And he also happens to be relatively friendly with Gruden, his coach for his final two seasons as a player in Tampa Bay, which is why I asked Lynch about this after the 49ers' season-ending presser on Tuesday.

“I know the way he works — Jon and I talk every now and then,” Lynch said. “Just the work he puts into this. I know the work he's been putting in, so that's kept him connected probably a little more than people think.

“I will say in the role he's been in, because I did the same thing, you kind of broaden your horizons,...

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